Guys, help me out here....

As I am getting closer and closer to a possible surgery date, (RNY) I'm starting to question if I'm doing the right thing. I know it's a personal decision, yadda, yadda, yadda.

But here's what I am wondering/concerned about.

Although I am over weight, I have been weightlifting for thirty years, serious biking for 12, Spinning for 2 years.

I have a good amount of muscle mass and strength under all that fat. I'm wondering how much of "hit" I'm gonna take in the acquired muscle mass  mass/strength department.

Is it possible I will finally shred this unwanted body fat to reveal the muscle underneath, or am I gonna lose both and just look like a smaller version of what I am now?

It seems when I read these posts that people don't really seem to have ever started workout routine until after they had their surgery. Will I still be able to bike a century (100 miles) etc.

I know not right after surgery. But how will it affect me going forward a few years down the road?

Your legs will still be pretty strong.
WLS does blow the muscle off you you like a blow torch.
The mobility you pick up is a bonus.
If I had two I was able to load the generator into the back of the truck by myself after work. Now even the apprentices don't like to help me load it, I can barely grunt it up high enough.
I can climb forms all day long now that I'm lighter, it used to kick my ass after a few minutes.
I could start lifting now and put some muscle on but I'm lazy.
IMO lifting during the rapid weightloss phase would be counter productive, I think it would just burn more muscle, but I could very well be wrong on that, Good luck

My doc told me that about 30% of the weight loss is muscle and I found that to be true.. I could move a house when I was bigger but struggle now.. I think it had to do with the weight displacement..

Good luck in your surgery.. You and your surgeon will be in my prayers..

Are you contemplating surgery to "LOOK BUFF" or to live a longer healthier life????? 

If you decide to have surgery I suggest that you drastically cut your workout routine during the first 12 months.  The muscle you use will be the muscle you lose.  You will break it down and will be very disadvantaged in the rebuilding process. 

I am an archer and for 30 years I have had my bows set at 75# draw but could easilly pull 85#.  My archery league started 5 months post.  The first week I drew and shot no problem(i shoot 60-100 arrows per night), when I showed up the second week I couldn't draw my bow and turned it down to 73# for the night.  The next week I couldn't draw 73# and turned it down again.  By the end of our 13 week season I could only draw 61#.  I got in all of my vitamins and protien but still couldn't rebuild my muscle mass.  Once I got past one year post my body started working again and as long as I get protien in after working my body the muscle grows back now, but I dont need as much since I am not walking around with an extra person on my back.

We have many tri-atheletes and Iron men here that went throught WLS so if you do this right you will have a buff body covered in loose skin rather than polarbear fat.  LOL

Good luck,

You will lose muscle along with fat. You will be weak and tired for a while. I waited almost 5 months to start working out and the was the worst mistake I could have made. Since then I have slowed my weightloss by doing a lot of weight lifting and running to build muscle back while burning fat. I started not being able to run a mile and can now do 8-10 without stopping. I have tripled my strength in the weight room and am feeling pretty good again. I guuess my answer is that you can get it back if you want to put the time in.

Four months post op here. As others have indicated, you will lose muscle.

I have been going to the gym to lift the past month or more. But, only 2-3 times a week. At best, it has slowed down the loss.

Personal stats, used to be able to bench 330. That was ten years ago. Before RNY, was comfortable doing sets of 225. Now, I am happy if I can get 150 off my chest once.

Cheers!

I was a bodybuilder... for years

Then a powerlifter...   for years

Then a fat guy that lifts weights... for years

Now, after the surgery I look like a bodybuilder again. I'm a ripped up 222 lbs right now. I have abs. (lost 200 lbs) It's amazing.

Hanging skin at lower belly only. Surgery will take care of that.